Political Theory

Foucault Contra Habermas is a collection of writings that aims to recover some of the intellectual ground lost by Foucault to Habermas since the death of the former. The collection moves from the foundational basis of each thinker’s investigations, through to their methodologies, and finally relates the debate to contemporary political and social concerns. Although it is far more difficult to simplify and synthesize than to complicate and decontextualize, Ashenden and Owen manage the former admirably. Common themes are present throughout the book which means that the chapters do complement and reinforce each other, but not to such an extent that they replicate or become superfluous. It is interesting to see how well the relativist approach of the book works. Given that Habermas and Foucault are often misunderstood, the analysis of these thinkers in relation to each other eases contextualization and understanding, especially with regard to methodology where, in chapter 3, Daniel Conway ensnares Habermas in Foucault’s genealogical method. Given the tall intellectual task that the authors have set themselves, the book is surprisingly readable. Although the text sometimes slips into unnecessary technical jargon, it reflects the complexity of the subject matter rather than being an exhibition of the authors’ desire to convolute the subject and demonstrate his/her authority. This book is a welcome addition to the body of literature on Foucault and Habermas and, in keeping with its Foucauldian overtone, invites critique and a broadening of the debate, necessarily leaving it very much open.